Wednesday, December 21, 2016

CrossFit for Triathletes and Runners

Training endless for
triathlons can be such a bore, that’s why it is important to spice up your
workout routine. CrossFit is a great way to change up your boring routine,
while adding some extra benefits that will help you improve your triathlon.

The Weakest Link

CrossFit helps triathletes
by finding their weakest link in training and helping to correct it, so that
you can improve that section of the race. It’s safe to say you will probably
endure some push-ups and planks in the CrossFit setting. What your elbows do in
this setting can tell a lot about how your body is doing. If your body isn’t
stable and your elbows become wobbly, it’s a sign that your core may need some
more focus. If your squat form needs work, it’s probably a sign that your hips
need work also. Targeting your weak areas in CrossFit can help you focus your
training to your specific needs, which will give you a faster time.

The Same Route

Training with the same
routine makes you only mediocre in that area. Adding different workouts will
improve the muscles that get ignored in your normal routine. CrossFit is
beneficial, because it aims to workout all your muscles in one workout.
Incorporating flexibility, jumping, and lifting into your routine, CrossFit
helps you strengthen your muscles with high intensity workouts, which
translates to you having quicker times with more energy.

But It’s Cold Outside

CrossFit is an indoor
workout that remains intense, which gives you results. In the off-season this
can be crucial when the temperatures and conditions outside prevent you from
keeping up your pace. CrossFit workouts improve your strength while still
maintaining aerobic workouts. This means that your heart won’t lose its
strength, while your muscles are building strength, which is hard to achieve
during the off-season.

picture courtesy of batches.com

Train with Your Brain

CrossFit requires you to do
as many reps as possible while the time is ticking down. In your head you have
to count your reps all while striving to complete your goal in a matter of
seconds. The workout isn’t just pushing your body to its limits, but it’s
pushing your brain to it’s limits. Multitasking while maintaining high
intensity focus gives your brain a bit of a workout. Why is that important? It’s
important because on the last leg of the run portion when your mind is giving
out and adapting a defeatist attitude, you’ll be trained to overcome the mental
blockade from training in time constraints.

A Sense of Community

Often times training for
triathlon type events are done in solitude, but is it always best to be alone?
Working out and training with people around you provides benefits. Firstly,
training around people gives a little sense of competition. You can compete
with the person next to you over a small set. This pushes your drive through
the roof and can give you a better more intense workout by putting your brain
in the competitive mood. Secondly, people support each other’s goals in group
settings. CrossFit is an area where everyone is there to workout and everyone
wants to achieve a fit lifestyle, regardless of competing in triathlons or
trying to stay in shape. The most important benefit of the community aspect is
the help and critique you receive. People can see what your form looks like and
can help you correct it; conversely, you can help correct other peoples form
and make new friends.

A Word of Caution

CrossFit has a prejudice
that it creates many injuries. When doing CrossFit, make sure that while you
are pushing yourself, you are maintaining proper form. If you have to go slow
to maintain proper form, by all means go slow, you will still achieve a
beneficial workout by going slow and reduce the risk of injury. Don’t push
yourself too hard. You may be looking over at your friend who is in beast mode
and you want to compete with them, but remember your goals and don’t push
yourself too hard. Being stuck on the couch recovering because of over-training
is not something you want to do.

Find an amazing coach and
you will benefit from CrossFit. A great coach can help you by teaching you body
mechanics and therefore improve your form in all sports.